Chapter V.
The parable that Nathan proposed to David is explained; and it is applied to Christ, and the human flesh assumed by Him.
Nor does the parable seem to differ from the mystery. For who is rich, except our Lord Jesus, who said of Himself, as it is read today, that a certain man who was rich went to a far country to receive a kingdom and to return (Luke 19:13). And truly He was rich in the riches of His majesty, and in the fullness of His own divinity, to whom the Angels and Archangels, the Virtues and Powers, the Principalities and Dominions, the Cherubim and Seraphim served with unwearied obedience. But despite being wealthy, he left ninety-nine sheep in the mountains, and one sheep that had become tired, he sought after. The ruler of this world, poor and needy due to the contemplation of that rich man, nourished her as if she were his own daughter with his own provisions. Indeed, she had rightfully failed, for her sustenance was the food of the world. This sheep had wandered in Adam, enticed by the deceit of the serpent.
And not a bad sheep, which was full of the Word, namely the rational daughter of the week, and the holy gift of the author; nevertheless, it was nourished not by any precious things, but by the cheap resources of the poor for a long time. Finally, it is said that he ate of her bread and drank of her cup, and slept in her bosom (2 Samuel 12:3). Ethiopian food is not good, the harmful golden cup of Babylon that intoxicates nations: sleep is not beneficial to those who sleep, it is better to be awake. Finally, all the foolish ones were disturbed in heart, they fell into their sleep, and found nothing. Therefore, out of hospitality, because he had taken in a guest in order to provide him with a meal, he took away that poor sheep. For, if he were to sacrifice any animal from his own flocks or herds, he would not have been able to benefit us, whom he would not have redeemed unless he had sacrificed.
Therefore, due to the weaknesses of our fragile nature, he assumed a certain compassionate affection in his flesh, for the purpose of alleviating or rather restoring it; and he offered his flesh to that saving passion, so that he might provide us with the food of eternal life. And the Scripture well calls him a lamb, because he was born of a Virgin. This rich man is rightly pronounced worthy of death by the prophetic judgement; for even Caiaphas prophesied, saying: It is expedient that one man should die for the people. But only the Lord Jesus was worthy and chosen for such a death, by which he would take away the sin of the world. He also beautifully added: 'He shall restore the lamb' (2 Samuel 12:6); because he raised his own flesh, he restored that flesh to its virginal integrity. Nor is it idle what he says: 'He shall restore fourfold.' For the resurrection of the dead is quadrupled, as the Apostle teaches, saying: 'It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body' (1 Corinthians 15:42 and following). He shall undoubtedly restore fourfold the lamb even in the way that a man can now say: If I have taken anything from anyone, I will repay fourfold (Luke X, 8). Appropriately, he also added: Because he did not spare (2 Samuel XII, 6); for Christ did not spare himself in order to help everyone.
Therefore, it was said by the Lord Jesus Christ to his servant David, in order to declare the mystery: 'For you have done this in secret, but I will do this word before all Israel, and in the sight of this sun' (2 Kings 12:12). And at first, not knowing the sacrament, David was moved by indignation, but he did not err in his affection. But afterwards, when he understood the great mystery, the great sacrament of Christ and the Church, seeing the future forgiveness of all sins, foreseeing the brightness of grace through the washing of regeneration, and the infusion of the Holy Spirit, he confidently confessed his sin to the Lord, so that he could come into the fellowship of those to whom the remission of guilt would come. Who would wonder that he has been forgiven, considering how deeply he has lamented his own sin?